DCS: 34 kids died of abuse, neglect in fiscal year 2012

This is a photo of Juan Carlos Cardenas, a one-year-old who drowned in a baptismal font while in a church daycare, in February 2012. His parents, Juan Cardenas and Maricela Serna are suing the church because of the death. Photos provided by the family / 2012(Photo: Kelly Wilkinson, Indianapolis Star)

In compiling its annual child fatality report, DCS officials reviewed the circumstances of 295 children's deaths that occurred between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, — deaths considered to be sudden, unexpected or unexplained, or involving allegations of abuse or neglect. The agency substantiated abuse or neglect in 34 of those cases.

Fifteen children died of abuse-related injuries and 19 died of neglect, according to the report. Nearly 62 percent of children who died were 1 year old or younger.

• Jayden Noel, 1, Indianapolis, died of blunt force trauma injuries on Jan. 18, 2012. His death came six months after the boy's father had reported to DCS that the boy likely had been abused. Jayden's mother and his mother's boyfriend later faced criminal charges for his death.

• Trammelle Sturgis, 10, South Bend, was fatally beaten on Nov. 3, 2011. He died about six months after a caller to the DCS hotline pleaded with a caseworker to send someone to check on the boy and his siblings because they were being beaten with a wooden club. The boy's father later was charged for his death.

• Juan Carlos Cardenas Serna, 22 months, Indianapolis, drowned in a baptismal pool on Feb. 22, 2012, at his registered ministry day care. He had wandered away from his caregivers. There were five staff members caring for about 55 children at the time of his death, records state.

DCS listed biological parents as perpetrators in about 68 percent of the 34 children's deaths. Another 17 percent of perpetrators were the parents' partners.